Night vision binoculars

Abstract

A night vision binocular assembly (10) capable of converting low light and infrared energy into a visible image. The night vision binocular assembly (10) includes at least one objective lens assembly (62), image intensifier tube (64), collimator lens assembly (66) and diopter cell assembly (68) encased in an easy to assembly waterproof housing (16). The objective lens assembly (62), image intensifier tube (64), collimator lens assembly (66) and diopter cell assembly (68) are all supported by a common base structure (80) within the housing (16). As a result, variations caused by thermal expansions and contractions are evenly distributed among the various optical elements, thereby preserving a predetermined optical relationship between those elements. Simple button controls (28, 30, 31) are used to operate and adjust the night vision binocular assembly (10). The button controls (28, 30, 31) are disposed on a common circuit board (38). An elastomeric structure (36) is disposed between the circuit board (38) and the interior of the binocular housing (16). The circuit board (38) is affixed to the interior of the binocular housing (16) in a manner that compresses the elastomeric structure (36) against the binocular housing (16) to provide a water tight seal. The elastomeric structure (36) has switch membranes or domed portions which extend through apertures (37) in the housing (16) creating both a fluid impermeable seal with the housing (16) and a means for the tactile engagement of the switches on the below lying circuit board (38).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A housing assembly for encasing an optical apparatus within the interior of said housing assembly, comprising: a first housing section having a bottom rim;   a second housing section having a top rim adapted to interconnect with said bottom rim of said first housing section along a common interface joint;   adhesive means disposed between said bottom rim and said top rim for adhesively joining said first housing section to said second housing section, wherein the interconnection of said top rim to said bottom rim is adapted to extrude some of said adhesive into said interior of said housing assembly, said adhesive covering said interface joint on the interior of said housing assembly creating a fluid impervious seal; and   wherein a gap exists between said bottom rim and said top rim as said bottom rim and said top rim are joined, said gap being largest proximate said interior of said housing assembly promoting the extrusion of adhesive toward said interior of said housing assembly.   
     
     
       2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first housing section and said second housing sections are made from an impact resistant material. 
     
     
       3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bottom rim has a male projection extending therefrom and said top rim has a female receptacle formed therein to receive said male projection. 
     
     
       4. The assembly according to claim 1, further including apertures in said first housing section and said second housing section to enable light energy to interact with said optical apparatus and window elements attachable to said first housing section and said second housing section in a fluid impervious manner to cover said apertures and isolate said interior of said housing assembly. 
     
     
       5. The assembly according to claim 4 further comprising elastomeric material disposed adjacent at least one of said apertures for providing impact protection. 
     
     
       6. The assembly according to claim 1 further including a recess formed along said interface joint on the exterior of said housing assembly, wherein said recess is sealed in a fluid impervious manner by said adhesive means extruded from said interface joint as said first housing section is joined to said second housing section.